Christmas 1559: Queen Elizabeth's Court... Secrets going back to 1546, Queen Dowager Catherine Parr's death & the birth of her daughter are at the center of the intrigue.

Lady Catherine Grey (surviving sister of Queen Jane Grey) wants to marry Lord Hertford, however, Elizabeth demands her Ladies remain single. There are factions that would set Lady Catherine on the throne for which she has no interest.

There is a young woman hiding at the local Inn who bears an uncanny resemblance to Elizabeth.

Kate is given a piece of musical code in the hand of Dowager Queen Catherine Parr by her father to translate.... Someone is searching Kate's papers & music for something....

Señor Feria of Spain has been replaced by Bishop de Quadra, who has brought two young cousins with him acting as his secretaries...

Queen Elizabeth finds a threatening drawing in her bed and later a poppet (doll) w/ an intricately made crown hanging from a tree with another threatening note.

When on of the Spanish cousins is found dead w/ his throat slashed, it first seems like suicide... until Kate points out that his dagger is in the wrong hand!

There was quite a bit of intrigue and references to Catherine Parr & the time of Elizabeth being her ward.

Once again, Kate Haywood, is pressed into service beyond her duties as the Queen's personal musician by Elizabeth.

I did figure out the guilty person early on. I liked the story and found it held my interest. ( )

The Yule season at a Queen's court is as fraught with spying as any other time. At least Kate gets to visit with her father. She needs to take self defense courses, though. ( )